Addiction After Surgery And How It Happens
11/09/18: Addiction \ Arizona Opioid Epidemic \ Drug Addiction
Every day, about 115 people die from an opioid overdose. In the last two decades, the opioid epidemic has become a serious issue in this country, but what are opioids? Opioids are prescribed medicines, heroin, or fentanyl. It is estimated that economic burden that comes along with addiction like this is around $78.5 billion a year (costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement). This has become a serious issue in America, so much so that about 3 million people in 2015 were discovered to have the addiction to opioids. But how does addiction like this happen? Well, it all started in the 1990s when doctors started to prescribe pain meds for people after surgery at higher rates than normal. Thinking their patients would not suffer from any addiction, they prescribed higher doses of the opioids. This is what caused the widespread misuse of pain relievers and other opioids. Post-surgery can be a very painful and uncomfortable time and this is why many doctors prescribe painkillers to patients. These painkillers provide a sense of comfort and numbness, in order to relieve any pain the patient might feel and make recovery more bearable. Painkillers can make the recovery process easier, but with extreme effects you get off the medicine, it can become highly addictive. In this blog post, we will discuss how people become addicted to these medicines, what the possible symptoms are, and what to do if addiction happens. Once you understand more about how addiction arises and what its symptoms are, you can also arm yourself with the knowledge of how to help yourself or someone get better.Post Surgery & Addiction
Typically, after surgery, you are going to be in some sort of pain and the intensity of it can vary. Recovery is not easy after some surgeries and this is why doctors typically prescribe some sort of painkiller. When they prescribe these meds, they are to only be used during recovery to make the process easier for the individual.
Some common medicines that are given to patients are morphine, fentanyl, or hydromorphone. These painkillers are given in appropriate doses to help the patient. However, a good amount of people will become addicted to the sense of euphoria, numbness, and calmness these medicines give and will want to abuse them. This is how the opioid addiction occurs.
Because the effects these drugs cause are so addictive, people will continue to take them for longer than their body actually needs. This creates a chemical dependency in the individual, leading them to believe they still need the drug to continue living a happy life. With a dependency comes symptoms of withdrawal, and that is when you truly know there is an addiction.
Not only do opioids provide a sense of physical euphoria, but they can do this mentally as well. Many people who struggle with anxiety or depression resort to opioids to help them cope with their feelings. When something makes you feel a sense of relief, you want to continue using that thing and that is exactly what opioids do for people that have an addiction. Becoming physically and mentally addicted to a substance can be deadly. When someone becomes this dependent on a chemical refuge, it can be hard to stop. If the person tries to go through recovery, their withdrawal symptoms may be so extreme that they see no other option except drugs to help them cope. If they can’t get their medicine from the doctor, they may try to get something worse off the streets (i.e. heroin). This is what the vicious cycle of addiction looks like.
Helping Someone Who Is Addicted to Opioids
If you or another person has become addicted to opioids because of past surgeries, it’s important to realize that it is not an easy addiction to beat. There are experts out there that are eager to help fight the addiction and create a better life for you or someone you know. They can help out on the journey to recovery and create steps that will help beat the addiction.Acknowledgment
With any form of addiction, the first step you need to take is acknowledging that you have an addiction. This can be one of the hardest steps because the last thing anyone wants to admit is that they have a dependency on a substance. Once there is an acknowledgment of the problem, the healing process can begin.Professional Help
Opioid addiction can be one of the most severe forms of addiction and it can be one of the most difficult things a person can deal with. Since the addiction is so extreme, the withdrawal symptoms can be very serious and it’s best that the person is put under professional medical care. There are trained professionals that are here to help someone through this time and provide a clear path to recovery. Arizona Addiction has a highly trained staff that specializes in making the recovery process as pain-free and tolerable as possible. Addiction centers all across Arizona are looking to fight the opioid epidemic in Arizona and, in return, fight the addiction in America.Other Issues That Influence Addiction
Addiction doesn’t just have to happen after a surgery, it can happen with someone who has unresolved issues in their life. Depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, etc. are all issues that can result in this type of addiction. Addiction centers offer counseling to go along with the rehabilitation process to ensure that you work through any other issues that may be resulting in any possible addiction. The best way to help fix these unresolved issues is to simply talk about them. Opening yourself up can create a natural sense of relief, rather than the chemical relief you get from substance abuse. Therapy/counseling can help a person cope with any negative feelings they have that cause addiction. In the last two decades, opioid addiction has swept the nation and has become a huge issue. Hundreds of people die every day from opioid overdose/abuse. This issue is mostly because of doctors giving higher doses to people in the 90s. Though opioid addiction is one of the most severe, that doesn’t mean someone can’t recover. With proper medical monitoring and help from trained experts, a person struggling with this addiction can break free and live a healthier/happier life. Content for Arizona Addiction by Cohn Media, LLC. Passionate and creative writing and broadcasting, covering the following industries: addiction rehab, health care, entertainment and technology. Advocate of clear communication, positivity and humanity at its best. www.cohn.mediaIf you or someone you know needs help with addiction, contact 602-737-1619 or email [email protected] to get the help you need. Our acclaimed recovery environment merges upscale, luxury accommodations with affordability, clinical expertise and an unwavering commitment to patient care and aftercare.
